Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Xie Yuan’s interest was piqued.

"Do tell, Miss Qin. What is it that you need me to do?"

A cunning smile touched Situ Qin’s lips.

"It’s nothing much. The day after tomorrow, there’s a banquet organized by the young elites of Yunzhou Prefecture, and I’m the guest of honor. How about you accompany me?"

"That’s it?"

Xie Yuan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Situ Qin nodded with an innocent expression.

"That’s it."

Xie Yuan looked at her expression, his gaze turning suspicious.

’If this were just an ordinary banquet, I could simply go along. It wouldn’t be worth a secret Inner Power technique, nor would it require Situ Qin to act this way.’

’It’s not like Situ Qin is just looking for an excuse to give me a gift—I already made my position clear, and she’s sharp and tactful enough to understand.’

’So, does that mean this banquet will be difficult to handle?’

After a moment of thought, he asked doubtfully,

"These young elites... they aren’t all your admirers, are they?"

"’Admirers’ is a bit of a stretch. But having them chatter around me all the time is quite annoying."

Situ Qin said nonchalantly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Seeing her expression, Xie Yuan’s heart sank. ’Just as I thought,’ he muttered to himself.

’She’s tired of being pestered by the scions of other families and wants to use me as a human shield?’

Xie Yuan hesitated at once. This was a job that would stir up trouble for no good reason.

The young men who dared to approach Situ Qin surely all came from families with deep-seated influence. This could lead to a lot of trouble.

"You know, the cultivation formula I use is one that even Mr. Qingyang praised upon seeing it. He begged me to share it, but I haven’t agreed yet."

Seeing Xie Yuan deep in thought, Situ Qin murmured softly to herself.

Though she seemed to be speaking quietly, her words drilled clearly into Xie Yuan’s ears. She was obviously saying it for him to hear.

Xie Yuan’s expression flickered as he listened.

The cultivation formula Situ Qin used herself was, without a doubt, top-tier. If he could obtain it, it would be a huge boon to his Inner Power cultivation.

The day they were ambushed, Xie Yuan clearly hadn’t felt any fluctuation in Situ Qin’s Blood Qi, yet she had killed a man with a single sweep of her zither. She clearly focused on internal techniques, and her Inner Strength cultivation was exceptionally high.

’If I go, I might attract unnecessary trouble.’

’If I don’t go, I’ll miss out on such a great opportunity.’

He had already stated with integrity that he wanted an equal exchange. If he missed this chance, who knew when he’d get another opportunity to trade for the formula? How many times would Situ Qin ever need a favor from him?

Although his Inner Power cultivation was progressing steadily, it wasn’t what he would call fast—at least, not in his own opinion.

’I need to improve faster...’

’I’ll be going with Situ Qin. Surely, even if trouble arises, they won’t go too far, for her sake.’

Xie Yuan subconsciously touched his neck. In the end, his desire for strength won out. He nodded and sighed.

"Then I’ll accompany Miss Qin this once."

Situ Qin’s face immediately lit up with a smile.

"That’s more like it! There’s a lot of delicious food at the banquet. You can go try some."

Xie Yuan discovered that besides loving her zither and looking for fun, Situ Qin also seemed to be a bit of a foodie, always talking about eating.

He said, a little uncertainly,

"But just for attending a banquet, I’m getting your precious formula. I feel like I’m still getting the better end of the deal..."

"Since you’ve already agreed, I don’t mind telling you—I guarantee I won’t be on the losing end of this."

Situ Qin’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, her expression holding a deeper meaning.

Seeing her cunning little expression, Xie Yuan felt a sense of foreboding and became a little uneasy.

’Oh, well. It’s just one banquet among young people. It can’t be that big a deal...’

「The day of the banquet.」

"Miss Qin, is it proper for us to ride in the same carriage?"

Xie Yuan asked from inside the spacious carriage.

Situ Qin smiled.

"What’s improper about it? Don’t be like Xiaoqing."

"Ordinary days are one thing, but on an occasion like this, if people see us in the same carriage, I’m afraid it will invite gossip."

"I’m not afraid of what people say. Besides, isn’t this better? It’ll save me from their daily pestering."

Situ Qin blinked.

Xie Yuan nodded silently, accepting his role.

’Looks like I’m taking the fall for this one.’

The carriage made its way out of the city, arriving at a vast estate west of Yunzhou Prefecture.

The estate was built at the foot of a hillside, with a forest preserve behind it that looked like a good place for hunting. A small river wound around the estate, its surface glittering, creating a pleasant scene.

After crossing the river via a bridge, they arrived at the estate’s wide main gate.

Many luxurious carriages were already parked in the open space, but the spot closest to the gate was still empty. Situ Qin’s carriage drove straight up and stopped there.

Xie Yuan hopped down from the carriage, glanced around, then lifted the curtain and, quite gentlemanly, extended a hand to help Situ Qin alight.

Situ Qin paused for a moment, then obediently placed her hand on his and gently stepped down, leaning on his arm. She smiled and said,

"My thanks, Master Xie."

"You’re welcome. I’ve decided to just treat today as a personal escort mission."

Situ Qin giggled a few times. Just as she was about to speak, she saw a man with his attendants walking over from the main gate.

Xie Yuan had already noticed this man. He was young and handsome, with a jade band across his forehead, a magnificent robe, and an outstanding air about him—the very picture of a noble scion.

As the noble scion approached, he was also sizing up Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan was still wearing his indigo robe. As the saying goes, "the clothes make the man." Xie Yuan was already dashing and eye-catching, and with this attire, though he might lack the opulence of the other young man, his natural charisma surpassed him.

The man had clearly seen Xie Yuan and Situ Qin laughing and talking, and his gaze faltered slightly.

When he got closer, he put on a decorous smile.